with the executivesponsor and revisit theevents and messagesso they reflect ourcore value of respectfor the individual,and we ensure thatwe’re upholding ouroriginal charter,” notesSuriel. “Additionally,we focus on buildingeducation andawareness to encouragecollaboration.”

part of the ‘invisible’ dimension—
what you may not see when you
look at a person,” says Pedro Suriel,
senior executive in the public-service operating group, who leads
several of the company’s inclusion
and diversity programs.

Accenture modeled its new Interfaith Group partly after a similar group in the United Kingdom.
Participation is strictly voluntary.
The group has an executive sponsor who makes sure it stays true
to its vision. The company provides it with resources, and each
group is responsible for developing high-level guidelines. No one
religious group is endorsed. “We’re
creating an opportunity for people
of various faiths to come together
to build awareness of different
faiths,” says Suriel.

How can Accenture ensure
the group will be inclusive of all
employees? “We meet periodically

Christian Groups
That Are Inclusive
Case Study No. 3:

Toyota Motor Engineering

& Manufacturing North
America, Inc.

Another company that has religious
employee-resource groups—albeit
in a very different manner—is
Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America,
Inc., part of Toyota Motor North
America. Toyota Motor Engineering
& Manufacturing North America,
Inc., has what it calls Business
Partner Groups (BPGs). The first

Talking About God, in the company’s Princeton, Ind., facility.

Although these groups are
oriented around Bible studies and
community outreach, they are open
to everyone, regardless of religion.
“They have to support the company
objectives and goals, which include
diversity,” says Charlotte Neal,
corporate compliance officer. They
also can’t meet during regular working hours unless they are discussing
matters pertaining to Toyota.

The Toyota Christian
Fellowship group primarily studies
the Bible and helps team members
who have difficult personal
situations as well as giving back
to the community by helping
low-income people, especially at
holiday times.

The group also brings in
speakers for all employees who
talk about such general but
important issues as grieving,
parenting and eldercare. The
Talking About God group is
primarily a Bible-study group.

“People see the willingness and
opportunity to serve one another
and reach out. That’s what these

Religious ERG Best Practices

Be inclusive—everyone can join

Be educational—inform about religious customs and beliefs
Have a senior executive as a sponsor

Don’t allow any discriminatory practices—EVER

Toyota Christian Fellowship employee group started in 2003 and is
now in two plants in Kentucky and
elsewhere. Another religious BPG is

groups are about,” says Gene Taylor, general manager of purchasing and executive sponsor for the
Christian Fellowship Group.